Alternate day fasting ameliorates renal damage in rats received high fat and fructose diet through enhancement of renal autophagy, decreasing renal fibrosis and apoptosis

Abstract

Background: A high-fat, high-fructose diet (HFFD) is known to increase one's risk for developing obesity, the metabolic syndrome, all of which contribute to the development of chronic kidney disease.Aim of the work: The goal of the current study is to clarify the biochemical and histological impacts of alternate-day fasting on renal disease brought on by a high-fat and fructose diet. Methods: 18 adult albino male rats weighing 200–250 grams were randomly assigned to three groups of six: Group 1 had a conventional diet, Group 2 received a high fat and fructose diet, and Group 3 received a high fat and fructose diet as well as alternate days of fasting. Fasting for 24 hours was applied in HFFD rats alternatively from the 9th week to the 12th week respectively. All rat groups were subjected to a histopathological study of the kidney to assess collagen deposition, LC3, α-SMA, and caspase 3 immuno-expression besides biochemical investigations to identify metabolic syndrome parameters as lipid metabolism, inflammatory markers, and oxidant-antioxidant status in the kidney tissues of all groups.Results: HFFD rats subjected to alternate-day fasting showed an improvement in adiposity, lipid metabolism, and cellular oxidative and inflammatory markers. Also, histopathological examination confirmed the valuable effect of fasting as evidenced by enhancement of renal autophagy, decreasing fibrosis and apoptosis.Conclusion: Our study's findings reveal that ADF from the 9th to 12th week improved metabolic disturbances and renal injury induced by HFFD. Fasting also significantly reduced inflammation and oxidative stress on both biochemical and histopathological levels.